Owners of mental health clinic charged with Medicaid fraud, failure to pay taxes

September 17, 2013

Fulton County, GA — State officials say a divorced couple failed to pay taxes on $600,000 in Medicaid funds they are accused of falsely obtaining.

Investigators searched for Derrell Jackson and Shayla Darrington Jackson for hours Monday night before finding and arresting Derrell Jackson.

The Jacksons were arrested earlier this month on Medicaid fraud charges. The couple ran a mental health counseling service for juveniles and allegedly stole $600,000 in Medicaid funds through false billing.

“They were charged with RICO out of Gwinnett County and have been arrested on those charges and are out on bond,” Georgia Department of Revenue Chief Josh Waites said.

Waites said the Jacksons owe $36,000 on the Medicaid funds.

Channel 2’s Amy Napier Viteri was there as investigators found Derrell Jackson and turned him over to Fulton County sheriff’s deputies. He covered his face with his shirt and said nothing about the charges he is facing as a deputy placed him in handcuffs.

Waites said he believes Derrell Jackson was inside his Lithonia home when his wife told investigators he was not home. His attorney later negotiated with investigators and he walked out of the house and turned himself in.

Officers also went to Shayla Darrington Jackson’s listed address in John’s Creek Monday night. A man who identified himself as her father said she was not there. Her car was parked outside.

“We’re still actively looking for her, so she should turn herself in. If she doesn’t, we’ll find her,” Waites said.

Shayla Darrington Jackson’s father said she plans to turn herself in on Thursday.

Source: "Couple accused of Medicaid fraud now charged with tax evasion," WSB-TV (Atlanta), August 20, 2013.